Are scars, wrinkles and fine lines taking away from your otherwise youthful appearance?
Laser skin resurfacing procedures have become increasingly popular in the past decade to combat the signs of aging, and have proven to be particularly effective at treating extensive skin damage, reducing skin discoloration and eliminating wrinkles.
These treatments work as a highly intensive ‘peel’ designed to cause extensive damage to the deeper layers of skin so that the skin heals and regenerates rapidly. The result is smoother skin and a clearer complexion. The UltraPulse C02 laser is one of the latest laser skin resurfacing treatments available, and offers a unique set of benefits for people who are noticing a few signs of premature aging. Here’s why the UltraPulse C02 laser could be a valuable treatment for you:
How Pulsed C02 Lasers Work
Pulsed lasers are different from conventional laser skin resurfacing devices because they emit high levels of laser energy intermittently – at a pulse of less than one millisecond – to evaporate the tissues without causing extensive damage to the surrounding areas. The pulsing process helps reduce the risk of burns and permanent scarring; when the laser is not directed on the skin, the skin has a chance to cool down before the next round of treatments.
The Ultrapulse C02 laser is designed specifically for moderate wrinkles, acne scars, baggy eyelids and small patches of loosened skin. If a patient wants to undergo a complete resurfacing treatment, the cosmetic surgeon may administer the er:YAG laser in conjunction with the C02 laser for the best results. The er:YAG laser is also a pulsed laser, and is administered immediately after the CO2 laser treatment to eliminate any small burns and speed up the healing process. It is typically administered on delicate areas such as the eyelids, undereyes and around the mouth.
Patients that want to get rid of facial redness or broken capillaries can also benefit from laser skin resurfacing treatments. For these skin conditions, a cosmetic surgeon may use the long-pulsed erbium:YAG laser in conjunction with the C02 laser; this particular laser works at a deeper layer of the skin – the papillary dermis – so that when the cells are heated, the skin begins to accelerate collagen production.
Some people notice significant results within a few days after the treatment, while others need to wait a few weeks so that the skin cells can regenerate and replace the damaged tissues. The amount of downtime depends on the type of laser used and the length of the session.
Best Candidates UltraPulse C02 Lasers
Most patients with photodamaged skin are typically good candidates for the UltraPulse C02 laser procedure, but people who tend to scar or burn easily, and those with darker skin, may not get the best results with this highly intensive treatment. Using these powerful lasers on darker skin tones may cause further pigmentation and leave the skin looking uneven. People with healthy and resilient skin, and those with lighter skin tones may be the best candidates for the procedure. The treatment helps increase cell regeneration, tightens and tones up loose skin, and eliminates the appearance of wrinkles.